I voted yes-yes.
At last year's MN Ribbon Ceremony, they made a big deal that this is a team sport -- between the handler & dog.
I understand the concerns of many working people. But when one half of the dogs are being handled by Pros, you need to ask where the sport is going.
I have great respect for the owner handler at this level of competition. I have less respect for the owner displaying the trophy their dog could not have earned with his owner on the line. I have even less respect when that owner sits in judgment at a hunt test.
Worried that standards will suffer without the Pros handling the majority of dogs? We amatures have so many resources to help us achieve the highest honors with our dogs - videos, books, magazines, Pro run group classes - there is simply no excuse for us not to handle our dogs at a high level of excellence. Too busy to go to the master national? Let's leave the event opened to those people who really appreciate its importance. Do you really think that 180 dog owners could not get away from their jobs this year?